2013 Women’s Soccer Players of the Week – No. 6

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Morgan Aukshunas of Biola (Calif.) has been named the NAIA Women’s Soccer National Defensive Player of the Week and Molly Machometa of Viterbo (Wis.) has been selected as the National Offensive Player of the Week, the national office announced Tuesday. Aukshunas and Machometa were selected based on their performances from Oct. 7 – 13 and were chosen out of a pool of conference, independent and unaffiliated group winners.

Aukshunas, an Orange, Calif., native, anchored a Biola back line that held its opponents scoreless for the fifth time in its last seven matches, including a scoreless draw against then-No. 3 Westmont (Calif.) last Saturday. The senior defender interrupted numerous offensive attacks by the Warriors and was a key part of two team saves. In the week’s opener against Arizona Christian, Aukshunas registered her second goal and assist of the year in addition to her role on a defense that allowed only seven shots en route to a 6-0 victory.

Machometa, a sophomore forward from McHenry, Ill., posted back-to-back hat tricks for the second time in her career in Viterbo’s 7-0 win against Mount Mercy (Iowa) on Oct. 8 and 3-0 victory against Grand View (Iowa) on Oct. 12. In addition to scoring, Machometa added two assists to her weekly totals – both coming against Mount Mercy. For the season, Machometa, who has scored at least one point in every match she has played in this year, leads the V-Hawks in goals (16), points (39) and shots (45). Her scoring also ranks among the top 10 nationally – seventh in total points and eighth in total goals.

For a complete list of all the national statistical leaders, click here.

The next NAIA National Women’s Soccer Players of the Week will be announced Oct. 22.